Here's a version of "How Many Miles to Babylon" from Isle of Man, collected in 1894...

Game Instructions

Two children join hands while standing face to face with their hands raised up in front to form an arch. The other players form themselves into a line by holding onto the waist of the person in front. They go up to the 2 forming the arch and recite the first line of the rhyme. Then the 2 kids respond with the 2nd line. They go back and forth reciting the lines like this until the last line. Then the line of players pass through the arch. The two bring their arms down on one child passing under the arch.

Comments

Please email me to let us know if you're familiar with this version and where you played it. Thanks! -Mama Lisa

Thanks and Acknowledgements

This version can be found in "The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol I of II) with Tunes, Singing-Rhymes and Methods of Playing" (1894) by Alice Bertha Gomme. Collected from A.W. Moore on Isle of Man.